Howard Coble

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, the past three decades the Congress has been a sloppy steward of tax dollars. Our country has been spent into the poor house, and we have mortgaged children's futures. But old habits die hard, Mr. Speaker. Many in this House resist change, so they attack the Republican plan by using fear tactics, laced with deception and half-truths and cleverly direct this message to vulnerable senior citizens: Tell Americans Republicans are cutting Medicare; tell Americans Republicans are eliminating school lunches; tell Americans Republicans will contaminate air and water; tell them anything that will frighten them even if you have to distort the truth. Mr. Speaker, the time has come for us to exercise discipline as we go about cleaning up this fiscal mess. If we fail to pass the Balanced Budget Act, there will be no Medicare, no school lunches, no water to drink. We have had an extended dance, Mr. Speaker. The fiddler must be paid.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I had not planned to insert my oars into these waters until I heard the gentleman from Montana speaking. I want to get in on this. Sure, we work on weekends. We work hard. And many of our people are underpaid. But, Mr. Speaker, that problem exists from boundary to boundary, from border to border, from blue sea to blue sea. I know many people in my district, and I am sure you all do, too, Republican and Democrat alike, they go to work early in the morning, and they go back home late of a night, as my grandma used to say, 12, 14 hours a day. I do not want anyone listening to our dialog today to believe that we in the Congress have a corner on the market of hard work, or have a corner on the market of working on weekends. We do work hard, and we work harder than most people realize. But so do the people we represent, Mr. Speaker. That is the point I want to drive home and drive it home firmly. I am afraid that many of us in this body, guilty by association if for no other reason, but this Congress, my friends of the House, has conducted business for the past several years in a reckless, imprudent manner. We have collected $5 million on the one hand, spent $10 million on the other, and then we incredulously wonder why we have problems fiscally and otherwise. It must be corrected. To correct it, I will admit, Mr. Speaker, will impose some pain. But the fiddler must be paid and we have been too lavish and too irresponsible in days gone by. The time to pay that fiddler, I fear, has come now, and we are going to have to do it and we are going to have to recognize others out there share our concern.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I have worked with the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hastert] for almost a decade in addressing this problem. I stand in hearty endorsement of what is before us today.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure may have until 5 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 1995, to file a report on H.R. 2149.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, much has been said about the O.J. Simpson trial, [[Page H 8730]] but little has been said about the manner in which Judge Ito has presided. It has reminded many observers of a circus rather than a courtroom. This is inexcusable. Mr. Speaker, this presents yet another example of a judge oblivious to the significance of taxpayers' resources. The Simpson trial has been extremely costly to the taxpayers and should have been concluded months ago. I am not suggesting that the rights of all parties should not be protected and preserved. I am not suggesting that parties to litigation should be forced to compromise. I am suggesting, however, that a trial should proceed in a timely fashion, and it is the judge's duty to assure this conclusion. Judge Ito deserves no high marks for his performance and I nominate him as 1995's most out of touch judicial bureaucrat who obviously has no appreciation for cost effectiveness at the courthouse.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that a team from the Sixth District, the East Rowan High School Mustangs, recently won the North Carolina 3A baseball championship. On Saturday, June 10, 1995, the East Rowan Mustangs defeated the Asheboro Comets, another Sixth District high school, in a best-of-three series to take the crown. East Rowan capped a magnificent year with a 16-game winning streak to finish the season at 29-1. The Mustangs have been the mark of stability over the last three seasons, with 73 victories and only 8 defeats. Last season the Mustangs made it to the State semifinals before being bounced from the tournament. This year was to be different, as the team produced the first State baseball championship for East Rowan High School in 18 years. In game one, Shawn Kelii hit a two-run single to highlight a four-run first inning, and pitchers Mike Morris and Greg Beaver combined for a five-hit shutout, as the Mustangs cruised to a 7-0 victory. In game two, series MVP and catcher Brad Rye knocked in two runs with a single and a triple as East Rowan won by a margin of 4-0. Pitcher Russell Holshouser was instrumental as he held the Comets to just two hits for the game. Known throughout the State as an offensive juggernaut, the East Rowan Mustangs scored more than 10 runs in 15 games this season, but clearly defense and superb pitching were instrumental in helping the team to win the championship. On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we offer congratulations to head coach Jeff Safrit, as well as assistant coaches Chris Cauble, Craig Hicks and Jeff Owen. Congratulations to the members of the squad: Chris McGinnis, Chad Stoner, Brian Cross, Skip Livengood, Damon Brinkley, Andy Cornelison, Jaret Doty, Russell Holshouser, David Trexler, Jason Foster, Garrett Barger, Brian Goodman, Chad Yates, Travis Goins, Greg Beaver, Brad Rye, Mike Morris, Shawn Kelii, Jeff Gobble, Kevin Barger, Andy Cauble, C.J. Moody, as well as the team managers, Amy Holshouser, and Samantha Burnette. You are all truly deserving of your championship, and we are all proud of you. The Sixth District is proud to have the East Rowan Mustangs as North Carolina's State 3A baseball champions.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, before we bring this year's basketball season to a close, I must say a few words about three basketball teams in my congressional district. The Sixth District of North Carolina was fortunate enough this year to have three high school squads capture State championships. We are proud that Lexington High School of Davidson County won the boys' 2-A championship, Ledford High School also of Davidson County won the girls' 2-A championship, and High Point Andrews High School of Guilford County won the boys' 3-A championship. On Saturday, March 25, 1995, two Davidson County high schools captured North Carolina basketball titles. The Lexington boys and Ledford girls won their respective State 2-A championships. Let's begin with the Lexington Yellow Jackets, a team many people did not think could win a championship this year. Lexington finished third in the Carolina Conference with a 22-9 record. The Yellow Jackets were playing the title game against the 27-1 Whiteville Wolfpack, considered to be the best 2-A team in the State. Lexington won the title game with a thrilling 69-67 victory when center Bernard McIntosh followed his own missed free-throw attempt with a putback basket at the buzzer. McIntosh, who scored 28 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in the game was named MVP of the game which was played at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill. The Wolfpack coach told the Lexington Dispatch that the loss to the Yellow Jackets was hard to believe. ``We thought we were going to win the State title,'' Wolfpack coach Glenn McKoy told the Davidson County newspaper. ``I guess we still have something to work for next year. Hey, Lexington has a real fine ball club. My hat goes off to them.'' Our hats go off to all of the members of the Yellow Jacket basketball squad. Congratulations to head coach Michael Gurley and his assistant coaches Robert Hairston and Jim Snyder. Congratulations are extended to every member of the team: Courtney Adams, Chad Griffith, Vince Williams, LeMar Hargrave, Rocke Shivers, Jason Zimmerman, Chad Walker, Antonio Threadgill, Marcus Hargrave, Toy Cade, Martin Saddler, Bernard McIntosh, J.D. Harris, Bert Davis, Chad Hearst, and Todric Jenkins. As with every successful endeavor, the new champions could not have achieved what they did without a great supporting cast. A tip of the cap is in order for administrative assistant coaches Ellen Garner and Heather Gurley, student assistant coach Paul Lyon, managers Rick Conner, Tyrone McCandies, Michael Evans, Jake Rowe, and Josh Lovell and mascot Hayden Gurley. Three cheers for cheerleading director Ginger Fritts and her squad of cheerleaders: Antionette Kerr, Carsha Cravon, Angie Harris, Heather Cox, Tory Wilson, Emily Halverson, and Tamika Anderson. To Principal Ashley Hinson, Athletic Director West Lamoureaux, the faculty, staff, students, families, and friends of Lexington High School, we offer our congratulations on winning the North Carolina 2-A high school boys' basketball championship. The other Davidson County high school to win a State basketball title this year was the Lady Panthers of Ledford High School of Thomasville, NC. On March 25, the Lady Panthers traveled to Chapel Hill to play in Carmichael Auditorium and capture the girls' 2-A crown with a 65-60 win over Southwest Guildord, another Sixth District high school. Head Coast John Ralls told the Thomasville Times that it was the third straight game of the playoffs that his team used a timely last- minute drive to seal the victory. ``That's hitting the nail on the head,'' Ralls told the Thomasville newspaper. ``They had poise and composure under pressure . . . and lots of pressure, especially (tonight). They just handled themselves well and did the things they had to do to win.'' That included turning to a youngster for leadership--when needed. Freshman Stacey Hinkle was named MVP for her 15-point performance in the title contest. Congratulations to Coach Ralls and his assistant coaches Joe Davis and Allen Patterson. In addition to Hinkle, the freshman MVP, every member of the Lady Panther team can equally share this year's championship: Ruth Armstrong, Laurie Smith, Kelly Thomas, Quinn Homesley, Amy Wells, Amanda Reese, Misty Sharp, Ginger Cox, Sara Day, Courtney Patterson, Marcy Newton, and Tracie New. Strong support was given to the Lady Panthers throughout the year by manager Sarah Hester, video manager Aaron Kindley, statistician Zac Herrmann, and scorekeeper Shelly Barrett. This is the second time Coach Ralls has led the Lady Panthers to a State title. In 1991, Ledford High School won the State softball crown. Coach Ralls told the Thomasville Times, ``It's kinda neat. I really like it. I mean [[Page E 1317]] whatever sport you're coaching in that's what you're working for--to try to get your team to win a state championship. So, it's something we wanted to do.'' This year's Lady Panthers finished their championship season with a record of 29-3. Over the past five basketball seasons, Coach Ralls has guided the Ledford girl hoopsters to a 113-27 record, an 80.7 winning percentage. Congratulations to Principal Max Cole, Athletic Director Gary Hinkle, the faculty, staff, students, families, and friends of Ledford High School for joining with Lexington High School to make sure that the State's 2-A basketball championship trophies reside within the boundaries of Davidson County. The third high school in the Sixth District to win a basketball championship this year was T. Wingate Andrews High School of High Point, NC. On March 25, the Red Raiders dominated Wake Forest- Rolesville High School 71-51 to secure the State boys' 3-A basketball championship. Andrews thoroughly dominated a Rolesville team that entered the title contest on--as its name implies--a roll. The Cougars had won their previous 20 contests this season and have won six State titles over the years. But at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill this year, the Cougars couldn't even score for the first 4 minutes 40 seconds of the contest against the Red Raiders of Andrews. ``We had a lot of support,'' Andrews Head Coach Robert Clemons told the Greensboro News & Record, ``the kids played hard and we won this thing. I feel relieved. I put a lot of pressure on myself. Our administration, they were very supportive. They didn't put any pressure on me. I did it all myself. And then I just put the responsibility on the kids and they responded well.'' That may be the understatement of the year. I am sure that Coach Clemons will be the first to say it was a total team effort, but special mention must be made of championship MVP David Wall who led all scorers with 20 points. Each Red Raider, however, played a vital role in the title drive for Andrews. Congratulations are given to Torrey Bright, Jason Blackwood, Antwan Hilton, Cory Dawkins, Jimmy Mangum, Marcus Wilson, Cardise Reed, Brian Gane, Quincey Dixon, B.J. Rogers, Rico Leach, J.J. McQueen, and Steve Myers for bringing home the trophy. In addition to Coach Clemons we offer our thanks to assistant coaches Myron Grimes and Dana Conte and scorekeeper Liz Kimbro for their efforts during the run to the top. Congratulations to Principal Jerry Hairston, Athletic Director Sue Shinn, the faculty, staff, students, families and friends of T. Wingate Andrews for capturing the State 3-A boys' basketball championship. North Carolina is known as a basketball hotbed. Thanks to Lexington, Ledford, and Andrews, those of us who call the Sixth District home can truthfully say that we are at the center of the North Carolina basketball universe.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, it took them a year to avenge a heartbreaking defeat, but on May 16, 1995, the Williams High School golf team completed a yearlong quest by capturing the North Carolina 3-A high school golf championship. The Sixth District of North Carolina is proud of the Bulldogs for winning the State golf title with a 2-day total of 614, two strokes better than its closest rival, Northwest Guilford High School, another Sixth District high school. What made the victory even sweeter was that it came over the same team, Northwest Guilford, that defeated Williams High School last year by one stroke. Head Coach Tommy Cole told the Burlington, NC Times-News that the bitter memory of last year's defeat drove the team all year long. ``It feels good to come back and win this after the heartbreak of last year,'' Cole told the newspaper. ``Everybody left here last year saying, `If I hadn't missed that shot here,' or `If I just made a putt there.' The mental stress on these kids has been unbelievable. They handled it great.'' Congratulations must begin with Tommy Cole who was named North Carolina's 3-A golf coach of the year following the team's victory. The win was Cole's second State title in as many sports. Cole was the coach for the Graham High School boys basketball champions in 1983. All five Williams golfers deserve equal praise for the team victory. Paul Daniel, Josh Moore, Tommy Ryan, Josh Petty, and Jason Nestor were better the second day than they were the first. Each improved his first-day total by at least one stroke. Paul Daniel followed his 74 on Monday with a 73 on Tuesday for a 2-day total of 147, and that was good enough to capture comedalist of the tournament. Congratulations to principal Donald Williams, athletic director Tommy Spoon, the faculty, staff, students, and parents of Williams High School. The Sixth District of North Carolina is proud of the Williams High School golf team for winning the 3-A golf championship and keeping the title in the Sixth District.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, the old saying that it is sometimes better to be lucky than good was turned on its head recently by a high school in the Sixth District of North Carolina. The Graham High School doubles tennis team proved that sometimes it is better to be good than lucky. The Red Devils tennis duo proved this by losing the draw for team seedings but then going on to capture the North Carolina high school boys doubles tennis championship. Graham tennis coach Jim Melvin told the Burlington, NC, Times-News that he tried to get the No. 2 seed for his team. ``They did it the hard way,'' Melvin told the newspaper. ``I tried to get them seeded second, but they wound up getting the third seed. A coin flip put them with the No. 1 seeds. Obviously, it wasn't a perfect draw. But they beat the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds. They did not back into it.'' Stuart Melvin and Jeremy Wyrick defeated doubles teams from Mt. Airy and Elkin to capture Graham's first tennis title. What made the duo even more special for Coach Melvin was that one of its members was his son, Stuart. ``It's Graham's first-ever tennis championship of any kind, and your son being part of it made it even more special.'' I am sure that the championship was special for everyone at Graham High School. Congratulations to principal Brad Evans, athletic director Mike Williams, the faculty, staff, students, and parents of Graham High School. The entire Sixth District of North Carolina is proud of your first-ever tennis championship.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. I thank the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Emerson] for having taken this special order to honor our pages. I thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Dreier] for his very appropriate remarks. As the gentleman from Missouri well knows, this is traditionally a bittersweet time, happy on the one hand for the pages to return to their respective homes, some sadness on the other for having to leave this place that has been their home for the past year. In closing I say to the gentleman from Missouri, and I say to the Speaker, we will forever be in the memories of these pages. They conversely will forever be in our memories. They have indeed done well here, and, as they depart, we wish them Godspeed and smooth seas, and again I thank the gentleman from Missouri.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, since the start of the 104th Congress, Republicans have made no attempt to hide our conviction that the Federal Government has grown out of proportion to its responsibilities. The conviction is not limited to domestic programs. Just as spending at home has come under intense scrutiny, our spending habits abroad should not escape notice. Although foreign aid is only a small part of the budget, it still consumes billions of dollars. Republicans will streamline this part of the budget, and insure every penny going overseas is wisely and responsibly. We propose to eliminate repetitive bureaucracy by closing three agencies and ending dozens of useless, silly named programs like the Permanent International Association of Road Congresses. Mr. Speaker, while our plan streamlines, it does not compromise America's position of world leadership. We can only be the world's leader if we do what is right by our future and by our children, and that is the essence of our plan.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for yielding to me. Mr. Chairman, representatives of our Nation's ports, including those in North Carolina, support the committee's inclusion of title VIII and IX in H.R. 961. Title VIII and IX modifies the regulatory provisions of the Ocean Dumping Act to transfer from the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to the Secretary of the Army the responsibility for navigational dredging. If enacted, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would be the lead Federal agency for: First, issuing ocean dumping permits for dredged material; second, designating dumping sites; and third, developing permit criteria. Consolidation of the management of navigational dredging in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will make this task more efficient, without compromising the environment. The corps is well-versed in the relevant Federal environmental statutes as well as the delicate art of dredging. Since the Chief of Engineers wears both hats, it makes sense to reassign this responsibility to the corps. As my colleagues understand, commercial navigational is critical to our economy and the maintenance of our Nation's ports is necessary to enhance commerce within--and throughout our States--and to boost U.S. exports. We must streamline the dredging process to eliminate unnecessary delays in this process. During committee consideration of H.R. 961, I supported the Franks amendment to reduce EPA's role in the permitting process for navigational dredging. The committee overwhelmingly approved this streamlining amendment. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to accept the Franks amendment to this title which clarifies that the corps only gains jurisdiction over dredge material. I commend the gentleman from New Jersey for offering this amendment. On the other hand, I must object to the amendment being offered to title VIII and IX by another of our colleagues from New Jersey, Congressman Frank Pallone, which would strike all of this title. As I have outlined, the committee and our constituents have argued for the efficiency and common sense which title IX provides. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote for the Franks amendment and against the Pallone amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to welcome to the House of Representatives today a minister from my district. Reverend Rhoades serves as the pastor of the Friedens Lutheran Church. Friedens Lutheran Church, Mr. Speaker, is beautifully situated among the gentle rolling hills of Piedmont, NC, between Gibsonville and McLeansville in the heart of the sixth Congressional District. Friedens, a patriotic congregation, focusing on worship of God, service to the community, and living the love of God in their own lives and with everyone they meet, is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. In addition to Reverend Rhoades, we are privileged, Mr. Speaker, to have in the House gallery today several members of the Friedens Lutheran Church. Again, I say it is our privilege to welcome our guest chaplain, Reverend Rhoades today, and the members of the Friedens Lutheran Church, to the House of Representatives.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, the Federal regulation of stormwater in my congressional district has become known simply as the ``rain tax.'' The city has imposed a new utility tax on all property owners in order to raise $5.5 million annually to offset some of the costs of this unfunded Federal mandate. As my constituents in Greensboro, NC, have become aware of the direct tax resulting from the current Clean Water Act, they have called and written my office to express their outrage over this, a perfect example of Federal overreach. ``What will be taxed next?'' they ask. I have a letter from Greensboro's city manager, Bill Carstarphen, in which he supports the stormwater management provisions in H.R. 961. Further, city officials urge the defeat of amendments that could subvert the improved flexibility in H.R. 961 for State and local governments to address stormwater pollution. Our city's environmental services director, Elizabeth Treadway, praises the recognition in H.R. 961 that stormwater cannot be considered a point-source pollution problem. These are our community experts speaking to the need for developing this program to the States, with an emphasis on voluntary compliance. Greensboro was issued its permit in late 1994. The city spent almost $1 million over a 2-year period just to secure the permit. The city was forced to spend this money even though a solution to stormwater pollution under current law is unenforceable. It is multi-source. The stormwater provisions in H.R. 961 have been criticized as rolling back existing protections and allowing currently treated stormwater to be discharged without treatment. In fact, H.R. 961 does not eliminate the permit under which Greensboro currently manages its stormwater program. Greensboro and 341 other large cities--and 134,000 industrial facilities--already have stormwater permits. Greensboro would be required to comply with the existing permit until it became subject to voluntary activities, enforceable plans, general permits, and site- specific permits under approved State stormwater management programs described in H.R. 961. The stormwater provisions of the current Clean Water Act are unworkable. H.R. 961 would replace the current, broken Federal requirements with a new program worked out between local governments and their State. H.R. 961 would recognize city officials' concerns that stormwater varies dramatically by season, by climate, and by each storm. This issue cries out for the application of balance. I urge my colleagues to reject stormwater amendments designed to perpetuate the status quo.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I may be twisting it procedurally, but let me plow along. Mr. Chairman, what I would say to my friend, the distinguished gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer] is this: I feel obliged to insist upon my point of order. But I commend my friend, the gentleman from Youngstown, OH [Mr. Traficant], and my friend from the Bayou, the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Tauzin], did not hear me when I said this earlier, but I said in response to what the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] said, if what you indicate is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, redress is needed. This needs to be corralled. I would say to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer], assuming I got a favorable ruling from the Chair, we will make that happen as far as getting with the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Tauzin], the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant], and I, and hopefully pursue a course that will be beneficial.

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I include for the Record a series of letters between the chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, May 9, 1995. Hon. Bill Archer, Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC. Dear Bill: I am writing in response to your letter of May 9, 1995 regarding consideration of H.R. 1361, the Coast Guard Authorization Act for FY 1996. As indicated in your letter, we are agreeing to offer a technical amendment on the floor to clarify that the Coast Guard expenditures authorized in Section 101 of H.R. 1361 that are derived from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund are specifically limited to carry out the purposes of Section 1012(a)(5) of the Pollution Act of 1990. I understand that this addresses the jurisdictional concerns of the Committee on Ways and Means. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in this matter. With warm regards, I remain. Sincerely, Bud Shuster, Chairman.

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, this amendment contains many noncontroversial, technical and clarifying changes to H.R. 1361. The amendment also extends the termination date of the Towing Safety Advisory Committee until October 1, the year 2000. Expressing the sense of Congress on Coast Guard funding conveys several Coast Guard lighthouses and other Coast Guard property to local communities and provides many waivers of vessel and agreed to on a bipartisan basis, and I urge the Members to support it.

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder of the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute made in order as original text by the rule be printed in the Record and open to amendment at any point.

Mr. COBLE. If the gentleman would yield, it does indeed sound reasonable, and it is my belief that this bill would not prohibit such an approach from occurring.

Mr. COBLE. Is there a situation such as that in the Santa Cruz Port District?

Mr. COBLE. That is correct, sir.

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman I yield back the balance of my time.